Seeking offense, Sandberg stays course

By Michael Radano / Special to MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- Ryne Sandberg came to Citizens Bank Park with a plan.

One day after the Phillies were no-hit by Josh Beckett and the Dodgers in a 6-0 shutout, Sandberg didn't feel the need to tinker with his lineup. The Hall of Fame second baseman felt his job -- at least where his lineup is concerned -- was simple. Have faith and put the same lineup back on the field.

"You get the guys back out there, and you have them bounce back," Sandberg said. "That's how you do something about it: bounce back the next day. I put thought into it every day. I look at certain things -- the pitcher throwing tonight -- but it came back to the point we needed to get the guys back out there."

The Phillies' offensive stagnancy this season, however, was apparent before Sunday. This isn't the 1927 Yankees lineup, or even the lineup the Phillies put on the field from 2005-10. This lineup, even with some very familiar names, just doesn't have that punch.

The Phillies have experienced five shutout losses in their past 10 games at home, six shutout losses in their past 18 games overall and seven shutout losses in 45 games this season. That is the second-most in baseball this season.

"Domonic [Brown] is out there," said Sandberg, who indicated he would go with Darin Ruf in left on Tuesday. "We have a lefty [Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa] going tomorrow. I have confidence in the offense to bounce back, and that's what you do after a no-hitter.

"In this ballpark, we need to improve on scoring runs. At times we've created a baserunner, and we just needed a swing to score some runs. With an offensive ballpark like this one, we need to answer the teams coming in. In a lot of ways it comes down to a hit, an extra-base hit or one out of the ballpark."

Worth noting

• Cliff Lee, who is out with left elbow strain, was not cleared to start throwing after meeting with Phillies medical staff on Monday. He was scheduled to be re-evaluated in three days.

• When asked about Brown's listless outfield play on Sunday, including a ball in which Yasiel Puig stretched a single into a double, Sandberg said Brown lacked the proper urgency.

"I think it was not paying attention of who hit the ball or see him get out of the box," Sandberg said. "The defense there is to charge and give it up quick and hit the cutoff man. It needed to be towards home plate, because there was a man on second, and he froze. Just a little sense of urgency and seeing the runner and who he was, was needed."

• Sandberg has been encouraged by the play of Cesar Hernandez at third in place of the injured Cody Asche.

"This is a time for him to get a look over there," Sandberg said. "I wondered how he would react, but he's been fine over there. He's shown some good footwork, and he's shown off a strong arm. For him to play that side of the diamond -- some third and some short -- it will help him with his role on the team."

Michael Radano is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.